Man blames street racers for brother's death

Police say speeding driver got out of wrecked car, left scene in another vehicle

Posted: 10:45 AM, April 03, 2012Updated: 10:45 AM, April 03, 2012

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A man critically injured in a three-vehicle crash on the Mathews Bridge last month has died and police investigating the wreck are looking for a driver who sped away from the scene.

Police said Donald Barringer, 55, was driving west across the bridge about 1 a.m. on March 23rd when he was struck from behind by a vehicle approaching at a high rate of speed.

The speeding vehicle also struck a third car, causing all three vehicles to spin.

Police said the driver who caused the wreck got out of his vehicle and into another vehicle stopped at the scene and continued on across the bridge. That driver is still at large.

Barringer was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. He died on Sunday.

Charles Mack, Barringer's brother, believes the evidence points to street racers as the one's responsible for his brother's death.

"They were racing across the Mathews Bridge and, you know, they have to be young because nobody in their right mind is going to race across the bridge unless you're young and crazy," said Mack.

Mack said he's received little information from police and wants the driver found.

"I would hope that the police, if they have a car that's been abandoned, that they would take photographs of people associated with that type of car and do a six pack lineup," said Mack.

Mack, a criminal defense lawyer in California, said that while he defends clients in cases like these often, he wants a suspect found and some justice for his brother.

"These kids are gonna have problems should the law catch them," said Mack

Police have not released a description of the driver they are looking for, saying no other information is available and the investigating is ongoing.

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